The Practical Creative

In this episode, I'm sharing a broad overview of NFTs specifically from an artist's perspective. I've been exploring the space for a few months now, and the learning curve has been both steep and exciting. My aim is to answer some common questions, challenge a few assumptions, and ultimately give you enough information start exploring the space yourself. Some of the questions I'll be exploring include: Why engage with art NFT's in the first place? Isn't the space only for digital art? How is this relevant to those of us who work with physical materials? And what about the environmental costs, scammers, and flippers? Personally, I believe that this technology is creating revolutionary opportunities for artists including; Changing how artists get paid, including life-long royalties Fostering a new culture of artists and collectors Building new audiences for art And a host of other benefits that I'll dig into as we go. So let's dive in!

CASSILS is a visual artist working in live performance, film, sound, sculpture and photography. They have achieved international recognition for a rigorous engagement with the body as a form of social sculpture – So what does this look like in practice? It means creating powerful works of art across a host of media, often with a strong performative element; this includes undergoing a gruelling physical transformation to gain 23 pounds of muscle in 23 weeks, or saving all their urine for 200 days, or being set on fire by a stunt team. And we dig into the meaning behind each of these in the interview. Each of Cassils artworks is rooted in deep conceptual, often political, explorations. And although they often involve a degree of risk, they are never reckless – a distinction Cassils is very clear to make. Some of the topics we covered in this conversation include: The rigorous approach applied to creating new pieces of work Responding to prompts: how they've created work in response to both commissions and emerging cultural and political events How they think about risk, and why it's become a feature in their work Why performing live in front of an audience has been integral to many their pieces And we finish with a brilliant Creative Challenge that really asks us to consider the power of our skills as artist, and how we choose to use it. I started the conversation by jumping straight in and asking Cassils for some context on how they navigate the process of taking an idea into a completed work. Please enjoy.

This conversation is with Kate Malone, one of the UK's leading ceramic artists with an illustrious career spanning thirty years. Her work is inspired by the joy and optimism of Nature, and often features large, hand-made pieces inspired by fruit, nuts, berries and pumpkins. Much of her work is coloured by the addition of crystalline glazes, and she is renowned for her research and experimentation in this area. And we dig into in the episode. Her exuberant work has won her an array of commissions and collaborations, including major public art projects. Kate was awarded an MBE in 2019 for services to ceramic art. Some of the topics we cover in this conversation include: Managing risk and uncertainty both in her studio based practice, as well as when undertaking ambitious public art projects Developing confidence as a maker and finding your own artistic voice How she thinks about selling her work in an elite marketplace And we finish with an absolutely brilliant creative challenge to apply to your own practice. So please enjoy this energizing and thought provoking conversation.

In this episode I'm speaking with skydiver and artist Michelle Nirumandrad who collaborates with the wind on a concept called ‘Captured Sky'. What this looks like in practice is Michelle literally jumping out of airplanes with paint and canvas, and collaborating with the sky as she falls, to create striking artworks that literally ‘capture the sky.' In this conversation we cover a host of topics about her practice including: How she first conceived of working this way The incredible technical and creative challenges that arose, and she is continuing to grapple with How she re-purposes her waste materials to create more artworks And a fantastic creative challenge at the end. So please enjoy this inspiring and exhilarating conversation!

In this episode, the tables have been turned, and I am on the other side of the microphone! In the last series of the podcast, I interviewed Magnus Goransson, Design Director at LEGO's Creative Play Lab. After our conversation, Magnus reached out and offered to interview me in return – specifically about my performance work. One of my many roles as a creative is being a creature performer. I trained as an actor and I specialise in bringing non-human characters to life. One of the most well-known of these was Tinky Winky from Teletubbies. And as you'll hear, this struck a chord with Magnus, who was intrigued to know more. Some of the topics we cover in our conversation include: - how I discovered the world of creature performance - my early training and how it continues to influence my work today - how that training overlaps with how designers work - how I use physical constraints to inform the creative process - we talk about some of the unique challenges of this line of work - and we compare notes on a few practical tips for creatives   Please enjoy this slightly different episode of The Practical Creative!

In this wrap up episode, I recap all my guests in the season exploring the power of play, and highlight some of the key strategies and takeaways that anyone can use to incorporate more play into their lives and creative practice.

Magnus works at LEGO as Design Director in the Creative Play Lab – where he works with teams to design and develop toys of the future. His work is informed by a huge and constantly growing body of research conducted by LEGO into both how, and why, children play. And in this conversation, we cover a range of topics including:   - how LEGO fosters a culture of play amongst it's employees (and this is really fun) - the benefits of working in teams to prevent and overcome blocks - the reality of designing products for a major corporation, particularly as a creative person, and how this can lead to burnout - why adults prefer to have ‘hobbies' rather than admit to ‘playing' - we also talk about how Magnus managed to find alternative outlets for his own creativity as he moved from being a hands-on designer to a director – and this was fascinating   And as always, we finish with a challenge to really ‘engulf yourself in play'.   So please enjoy!

Sandy is an award winning artist whose work appears in collections around the globe. Her work is the result of a fierce commitment to a spontaneous and intuitive process. In fact, you'll hear the phrases ‘letting go', ‘being in the here and now' and ‘empty mind' several times in this interview. Working across media, including ceramics, painting, installation and sculpture, Sandy's work is always bold, energetic, and hugely life-affirming. This conversation was recorded at her home in the seaside village of Appledore, Devon, in the UK, where Sandy also has her studio and exhibition space. Some of the topics we cover include: - key moments that helped her to define her intuitive approach - how Sandy cultivates a state of ‘not knowing' when creating her work - the value of trusting intuition and allowing your body to lead your creative process - dealing with uncertainty, fear, and not liking your work - the importance of ‘letting go' and saying yes And what drives her to consistently take on new and bigger challenges. This was a delightful conversation with one of the bravest artists I know. Sandy's commitment to, and trust in, the act of letting go, of not knowing – is as challenging as it is inspiring. Please enjoy.

A brief, interim episode and catchup!  Checking in with you, recapping some of the creative challenges from my guests, and a book recommendation to improve your 'inner dialogue'. Catch up on all my previous guests either here, or at thepracticalcreative.life

Mike is an author, an entrepreneur, and he also conducts research into workplace wellness. So what does this mean, and how does it fit into the theme of play? Mike has created some fantastic tools for measuring and assessing how you spend your time – in order to live a more deliberate life – and this includes simple things you can start doing today to put more fun into your life. Some of the topics we cover include: - why a ‘balanced life' is a fallacy - we explore Mike's Play Model, which offers a helpful vocabulary for categorizing different activities in your life - using a time log to really focus on how you're spending your time, and where you might be able to, as Mike puts it, “sprinkle a little more fun into your life” - how to be more proactive and avoid waiting for pain to move you into action - how Mike uses long-term goal setting to create the life he wants now, and in the future (and ensuring that he has fun along the way). Plus, Mike leaves us with a challenge to take some of the ideas in this conversation and apply them to your own life, by examining how you spend the 168 hours of your week. If you've ever heard the saying that “life is about the journey, and not the destination” and wondered how to have more fun along the journey, there are definitely some ideas in this conversation that will be of interest.

Mary Robinette is a puppeteer, audiobook narrator, science fiction author, and she is no stranger to winning awards. One of her short stories won a Hugo award, she won the Campbell award for Best New Writer, and one of her novels was nominated for a Nebula – all of which are a big deal in the science fiction and fantasy genre. But her list of accomplishments goes on, with Mary Robinette also winning two UNIMA awards for her work in puppetry. I was delighted to get the opportunity to talk to Mary Robinette about her work; particularly as she has found success in what appear to be two very different worlds – although she disagrees, and you'll hear why. Some of the topics we cover include: - the importance of ‘doodling' and how she uses it to get out of feeling ‘stuck' - managing depression as a creative, and still getting work done - the importance of valuing your own taste And a wonderful writing challenge to encourage you to ‘cross pollinate.' This was an intriguing, and surprisingly frank, conversation that covered a wide range of topics and offers an insight into two fascinating, creative worlds.

Yesim is a play expert and futurist who has worked with major international brands such as LEGO, Hasbro and Toys R' Us. Her work has taken her from studying children at play and toy design to teaching executives how to access their own innate power of play. This was an utterly fascinating conversation, and Yesim does a brilliant job of creating a vocabulary and context that takes the idea of play from something that we might dismiss as frivolous or reserved for the weekend, and instead she places it front and centre, as a fundamental aspect of the human experience (including adults), and even that play is a power that we all have access to, and one that can be cultivated on a daily basis. Other topics we cover include - Cultural differences in play - How you can teach play and innovation - Some context on why play has been relegated to ‘child-only' status - The connection between play and failure and a fantastic challenge at the end to practice playfulness by ‘tickling your mind'. This was a fascinating and inspiring conversation about perceptions of play, the need for play even as adults, and practical steps you can take to increase your own ‘play muscle' - so please enjoy.  

Charlie is an author, filmmaker and marketing strategist. His work has led to rubbing elbows with the likes of Tim Ferriss, Ramit Sethi, Gary Vaynerchuck, the list goes on, and he's given talks for Google and The Pentagon. Charlie's written two books about play, one chronicling his discovery of play as an antidote to anxiety, and another celebrating how luminaries throughout history have valued play; including Bob Dylan, Plato, JK Rowling, Einstein, Jay-Z and Mark Twain. Charlie has a fascinating relationship to the spirit of play and it's value to mental health and happiness – which we really dig into. Some of the other topics we cover include: - how Charlie used play to treat his anxiety which then lead to writing ‘Play it Away' - some of the mindshifts he made to bring more joy into his life and work - how improv and wrestling can foster play - how he turned writing a book into a playful project collaborating with 50 artists from around the world We also talk about: - how to create opportunities for more play in your daily life - the value of journalling - and there's a brilliant challenge at the end to help kick-start your own play project Charlie was an amazing guest, and this conversation is full of so many great takeaways – please enjoy!

Kathryn Poole is an artist from Liverpool in the United Kingdom. I had the opportunity to speak with Kathryn after she was announced as the winner of the Jackson's Art Emerging Artist Prize in Drawing. And I'm so glad that I did. Kathryn creates exquisite and highly detailed drawings that result from her fascinating process; a combination of the scientific method, an interest in memory, and roadkill. The subject matter may be sombre, but Kathryn's approach is delightfully inquisitive and cheerful. Some of the topics we cover in this conversation include: How she warms up before beginning work and maintains focus for sustained periods of time Managing time to create alongside a demanding day job The difference between using roadkill versus taxidermy as source material The virtues of working in black and white Her thoughts on entering art competitions and Kathryn's creative challenge for you to try in your own practice. I had so much fun talking with Kathryn and exploring her wonderfully distinctive practice; our conversation is full of fantastic observations and practical takeaways – please enjoy! www.thepracticalcreative.life    

This season finale shares 5 key principles distilled from conversations with all my guests on the series: Fused-glass artist Jo Downs Artpreneur Jason Borbet aka 'Borbay' Gallery owner Mike Goldmark of Goldmark Art Art consultant and gallerist Alix Sloan Business coach to artists Catherine Orer Best selling author Jeff Goins Author and coach for introverts and other quiet people Pete Mosley

Jason Borbet is an artist, author, and entrepreneur. As an artist, he goes by the single name of ‘Borbay' and even has his own logo. And this exemplifies so much of his approach to being an artist. Every aspect of what he does is a considered act of branding and storytelling, which we dig into in this conversation. Other topics we cover include: - Jason's extraordinary career path from graphic designer to stand-up comedian to working in the corporate world and recruitment, before finally committing to being a full-time artist. At the ripe old age of 28. - we cover how the skills he learned from working with some of the top video game companies have influenced how he markets his art - his relationship with collectors - managing commissions and why it's sometimes better to say ‘no' - his pricing strategy and why he raises his prices every single year - some of the key strategies he has used raise his profile as an artist I am so excited to have Jason on the show, as he exemplifies the idea of the artist as entrepreneur. And he does it in a way that integrates seamlessly with his creative practice, so much so that being an entrepreneur almost appears to be a part of his practice. If you are looking for creative ways to share your work, want to shake up how you think about marketing your work, or are just looking for a bit of inspiration, then you will enjoy this episode! Oh, and you definitely need to check you his Challenge to Listeners at the end! www.thepracticalcreative.life

Pete is a writer, coach and speaker. He's also the author of the book “The Art of Shouting Quietly; A guide to self promotion for introverts and other quiet souls” which is aimed at brilliant people out there who have fabulous products and services but who struggle to promote themselves through shyness, introversion, or a mistrust of the marketing process. In this conversation, we cover a number of topics from the book and Pete's wider experience of coaching quiet people in communicating the value of their work. These include: - practical strategies for identifying your own key values (and we also cover why this is so important) - how quietness can be a strength – even in marketing! - how to find and use the voices of others to help promote your work - practical steps you can take to protect yourself from plagiarism when sharing your work online - and ways to think about and build confidence Pete's gentle and considered approach offers an inspiring alternative to anyone who's uncomfortable with the idea of selling and promoting their work. thepracticalcreative.life  

Mike runs the Goldmark Art Gallery, a fascinating space that sells work to collectors around the world. But this is, by no means, your traditional art gallery. Mike has a unique approach to sales, marketing and promotion (which we get into), but he has also made the bold decision to sell functional pottery alongside fine-art. In our conversation, we get into: - why Mike invests thousands of pounds to great stunning videos about the artists he represents (and I encourage you to check them out, they are truly beautiful) - why he's chosen to sell functional craft items alongside fine art and how that works practically - why he's NOT out to maximise profit - Mike's personal connection to pots made by great potters (and honestly, it's worth listening to this episode for that alone) - his belief in the transformative power of great art - and why most creative people should keep their day jobs Mike is a true iconoclast, with strong views and opinions formed over 50 years of building and running his business on his own terms. Goldmark Art is a testament to his clear vision and unapologetic views on what it means to be an artist and to sell art, and they are a great challenge to us all. thepracticalcreative.life/

Alix is a gallerist, art consultant, and author of “Launching Your Art Career: A Practical Guide for Artists”. She has spent years in the art world connecting artists with collectors, as well as teaching artists how to take charge of their own careers. In this episode we cover: - the importance of being clear about your goals as an artist; whether it be money, fame, status, influence, or something else entirely - when and why it might be worth considering hiring an art coach - the importance of keeping ‘office hours' as part of your practice - as well as a host of practical actions you can take to start working towards your goals. Alix is full of fun, warmth and understanding, and couples this with a no-nonsense, actionable approach to launching and building a career as an artist. So please enjoy this episode of The Practical Creative Podcast.

Jeff is a writer, speaker, and entrepreneur. He is the best-selling author of five books, and his award-winning blog Goinswriter.com is visited by millions of people every year. In this conversation, we talk about his book “Real Artists Don't Starve” where Jeff lays out principles for that any creative can use to move from being a ‘starving' artist to become a ‘thriving' artist. We cover a lot in this episode, including: - how being a ‘starving' artist is actually a choice, and one that you can change - the importance of thinking like a professional - what it means to be ‘original' and why it's actually easier than you might think - and why it's important to never work for free In this conversation we talk about some of the broader principles in Jeff's book, as well as some of the personal shifts Jeff made in order to become the thriving writer that he is today. If you're interested in practical strategies and guidelines to help you thrive as an artist or creative, then there's something here for you!  

Jo is the UK's premier fused-glass artist and designer. Her private commissions appear on cruise ships, in some of the most prestigious hotels, and in private homes, around the world. In this conversation, we talk about some of the key principles that moved her from a solo-maker with a kiln in her bedroom to running a business with 8 galleries and over 40 employees, all focused on making and selling her work. Other topics we cover include: - some of the key decisions Jo made that placed her work directly in the front of major buyers, leading to prestigious commissions - the potential dangers of commissions, and how Jo managed to narrowly avoid disaster - this is balanced with the potential huge benefits to taking commissions, and Jo talks about a project that she's currently working on - what it's like to turn over control and trust other people to execute your designs - we also talk about Jo's constant drive to experiment and say "Yes", and how these have both been instrumental in getting her where she is today  I found this to be a fantastically inspiring conversation, and I hope that you do too!

Catherine is an award-winning Business & PR Strategist and founder of The Artist Entrepreneur, where she counsels professional visual artists and creative entrepreneurs who want to build sustainable businesses and careers. This was a fantastic conversation just chock-full of practical, actionable strategies that you can use to help move your creative career forward. We cover a fantastic range of topics including: - the importance of identifying your core values as an artist - how these values can help you to then identify and connect with, and even sell to, your ideal audience - we dig into what it means to be a ‘brand' and why it may not be as negative as you think - we talk about the basic formula for making sales - the importance of educating your audience - and so much more This really is a treasure trove of information, so tune your ears!

A quick introduction to Season 2 of The Practical Creative Podcast.  I'll be exploring the "Business of Creativity" by talking to art coaches, PR consultants, gallerists, and  artist entrepreneurs about how the mindset and skills artists and creatives can use to earn an income from their work. Over the next seven episodes, you can hear my conversations with: Catherine Orer - Award-winning Business and PR strategist for artists Jo Downs – The UK's leading designer of fused glass with 8 of her own galleries Jeff Goins - Best-selling author of "The Art of Work" and "Real Artists Don't Starve" Alix Sloan - Gallery owner, artist coach, and author of "Launching your art career: A practical guide for artists" Mike Goldmark - Iconoclast and owner of Goldmark Art gallery, selling functional pottery alongside fine art Pete Mosley - author of "The Art of Shouting Quietly",  a book about self-promotion for introverts, shy entrepreneurs, and other quiet souls Jason Borbet - Artist entrepreneur and Forbes staff writer on art and art business   Find out more at: www.thepracticalcreative.life    

Hello and welcome to this pre-season update from The Practical Creative Podcast. I wanted to take a moment to let you know what's happening behind the scenes as I prepare interviews for Season 2, and to ask for your input!

This is the final episode of The Practical Creative Podcast, Series 1, where I summarize the insights and lessons learned from my conversations with eight artists and makers who are actively making creative work.

Keith is a potter, entrepreneur, and appeared as a host and judge on the BBC's Great Pottery Throwdown. In this conversation, we talk about: how the discipline Keith learned as a production potter helps to drive his work today how he balances running a business with being creative how the business informs his creative work taking creative risks the importance of identifying your strengths and weakness asking for help This was an eye-opening conversation and a fantastic opportunity to speak with Keith about some of the elements that have come together to make him one of the best known potters in the UK. Visit the website at: thepracticalcreative.life

Kate designs and hand builds exquisite book bindings where she can express her own interpretation of the contents. We cover a lot here, including: the scope for commentary and self-expression in book binding eclectic sources of imagery and inspiration her thoughts on creativity customising tools and loads more I learned so much in this episode, and I'm sure that when you've finished, you will never look at a book – or it's cover – the same again. Visit the website at: thepracticalcreative.life

Jo produces absolutely stunning work that just sings with colour and movement, capturing a fascinating process that combines intuitive gestures, digital editing, and labour-intensive weaving. In this episode we get stuck into her process and discuss: sources of inspiration generating and exploring ideas working with visual stimuli the importance of selection in order to keep moving forward We also have a frank conversation about why she isn't a business that I found refreshing and inspiring. There's loads of fascinating insight in this episode, so tune your ears! Visit the website at: thepracticalcreative.life

Here's a quick preview of what's to come in this series of The Practical Creative Podcast.

I first came across Arthur's work almost two decades ago when I was a student in Boston. I don't know what led me to that gallery on that day, but I do know that the work I saw has remained vivid in my memory ever since. Arthur manages to combine so many elements that I find deeply satisfying; interactivity, narrative, humour, ingenuity and sometimes even found objects. But he takes it a step further – each piece lends itself to layers of contemplation, hinting at philosophical or existential questions about human existence; a search for meaning, the joy of the physical, and endless struggle. In this episode, we talk about: having a clear intention in making refining your ability to communicate through your work giving and receiving feedback avoiding self-consciousness the importance of challenging habits and assumptions   Visit the website at: thepracticalcreative.life

Matt is an glass artist, innovator and curator creating work that explores ideas. He has created a working practice based on ‘itchy feet' wherein he develops opportunities to further his knowledge of glass and all its permutations by collaborating far and wide. In this episode we talk about the numerous benefits of working outside of the crafts or arts environment, including how it challenges him to learn more about his materials and processes, increases the value of his knowledge, and feeds back into his studio practice. Matt's approach is as refreshing as it is inspiring, and offers a completely different take on a career in crafts that moves beyond a gallery-oriented practice. Other topics we cover: the often overlooked value of craft knowledge the benefits and challenges of collaborating with industry the importance of developing multiple strands of work allowing ideas to dictate process, materials and methods Vist the website at: thepracticalcreative.life

Joe is a basket maker in Ireland whose work spans both traditional craft and contemporary sculpture. Working with willow he grows himself, Joe creates stunning work using the skills he developed whilst researching traditional forms. Joe has managed to build a life, and develop a distinctive form of expression, that are without compromise. In this episode, we get into: making money with baskets the benefits of developing work gradually the importance of authenticity over labels such as “traditional” or “contemporary” the tremendous creative benefits of time spent in nature I found my conversation with Joe to be both inspiring and grounding, and I encourage you to give it a listen! Visit the website at: thepracticalcreative.life

Adrian produces beautiful work inspired by his studies of medieval furniture, natural phenomena and the interaction of light with surface and texture. We cover some great material including: how he came to working with riven wood – a signature feature of his furniture why he doesn't get ‘stuck' the importance of routine making and adapting his own tools and much more! Visit the website at: thepracticalcreative.life